Thursday, July 19, 2018

Christmas in July 2018: Laura Rachel

It’s surprising but I don’t think I’ve watched a Henson Muppet Christmas program all the way through, so instead of choosing one of them, which I might add I really should watch, I’ll say Gremlins. Now, I don’t consider Gremlins a Christmas film but I know a number of people do and that is one film that includes puppetry. It’s also one that I do enjoy watching.

from 2006's The Christmas Card.

2) Which decade produced the bulk of your favorite Christmas entertainment?

Well, as I look at the classics and the Christmas films that come out year after year, I was surprised that the decade with my highest ratings were the 2000s. I was think it would be the 60s or 70s maybe even the 80s, as I am an 80s child but alas it’s 2000s. From one of my favorite romances, Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) to the British comedy film, Nativity (2009). There are thirteen films that I enjoyed during that decade. That decade is also when Hallmark really started to dish out their holiday films by the bucket load with Silent Night (2002), A Boyfriend for Christmas (2004), The Christmas Card (2006), and Three Gifts (2009). Then there are the box office films: Love Actually (2003), The Polar Express (2004), Joyeux Noel (2005), The Family Stone (2005), and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005). I can’t leave out Christmas Angel (2009) and the TV movie, Holiday in Handcuffs (2007). It’s a wide range of films but I love them. 😊

Ok, this is difficult, too many to chose from but ok. For the appetizer, I’ll have Nestor, the Long-Eared Donkey (1977). For the entrée, I’ll have Joyeux Noel (2005). For dessert, I’ll have Christmas Comes to Willow Creek (1987).

4) What Christmas episode, special or movie doesn't exist--that you wish did? Feel free to get creative.

I always thought, and I know it won’t be popular, but I always thought, that doing the Biblical story directly from the Bible including all four gospels folded together would be amazing. I know that doesn’t really make sense but in my minds eye, I think it would be amazing but boring because it wouldn’t be as dramatic as some of the other films do to the story. I would just tell the story.

5) If one Christmas movie, special or episode was to be selected for a
time capsule to opened in 1,000 years, which title do you think should
be included?

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), would be perfect to be placed in a time capsule. It's got the heart of meaning of Christmas, loving the people around you and realizing your life is worth it.

4 comments:

Ha! Twins. I'm also an '80s child who was sure that would be my favorite decade of Christmas programming, but then when I sat down and thought about it, it was aughts (2000s), too…And for a lot of the same programs. Love, LOVE, ACTUALLY, BRIDGET JONES and NATIVITY!

Loved all your references, Laura. I used to watch Gremlins during the 12 Days of Christmas, often on New Year's Eve. Have you seen how the Nativity narrative is handled in Zeffarelli's Jesus of Nazareth, the 1977 mini-series? I think it's exceptionally well done.